Chapter 0497: The So-Called Rules

In fact, trouble comes in many forms, but one thing is certain: when trouble arrives, being unable to sit still becomes a matter of course.

When Zheng Yao, working late into the night, received this long-distance call from Beijing, the expression on her face was already predictable.

Without a second word, Zheng Yao picked up the phone and dialed Zhao Fusheng's number. Such things happen once, and then a second time. Now that the company's development had finally stepped onto the right track, she, Zheng Yao, was determined to become the general manager of China's number one advertising company.

"Teacher Zheng, I've already finished the planning for Gree Electric Appliances. You don't need to worry."

Zhao Fusheng, who had just sent Dong Chenxi and Bai Jie back to the hotel, saw the number displayed on his phone, pressed the answer button, and said with a smile as he walked into his home.

"Planning? Is that what I'm worried about now?" Zheng Yao muttered silently to herself, nearly grinding her teeth.

"Comrade Zhao Fusheng, this is a long-distance call!"

Zheng Yao's original intention was to stop Zhao Fusheng from beating around the bush. There was no need for them to circle around each other; it was best to get straight to business. But unexpectedly, she had overestimated Zhao Fusheng's bottom line and integrity.

"Oh, so you mean you want me to call you back?"

Zhao Fusheng retorted, nearly making Zheng Yao faint from anger.

"That won't be necessary..." Before Zheng Yao could finish her sentence, the line went dead. A speechless expression naturally hung on her face. If there had been a camera to capture her at that moment, it could definitely have been made into a meme for future generations.

"This guy is deliberately trying to annoy me. Did I offend him in a past life?" Given the current situation, Zheng Yao thought rather idealistically.

Well, when Zhao Fusheng called back with a sincere expression, Zheng Yao's initial urge to call him to account had already subsided somewhat.

"Tell me, what's going on? I heard from Bai Jie that you directly disrupted the dinner she and Dong Chenxi had set up with the leaders from Gree Electric Appliances. What, do I need to come and handle this myself?" Zheng Yao said helplessly.

"That won't be necessary." Zhao Fusheng smiled and said, "You underestimate my abilities. It's just Gree Electric Appliances; I can handle it easily."

Zheng Yao snorted dismissively, not believing Zhao Fusheng's words at all, and said impatiently, "Do you think I'm a fool?"

Zhao Fusheng shrugged. Nagging was clearly not suitable for Zheng Yao, but lately, she had been getting more and more naggy.

Developing an advertising company from scratch is extremely hard work. Zhao Fusheng could understand Zheng Yao's painstaking efforts, but he still couldn't accept her current way of doing things.

"Teacher Zheng, I'm not joking." Zhao Fusheng said to Zheng Yao, his tone more serious than ever.

Zheng Yao was taken aback and asked in surprise, "You mean..."

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. Cool girls naturally want to be friends with cool women, and stubborn people naturally want to be with strong-willed individuals.

Zhao Fusheng and Zheng Yao were actually the same: outwardly gentle but inwardly firm, people with their own strong opinions.

So under normal circumstances, Zhao Fusheng rarely offered opinions on Zheng Yao's business strategies, because that would often affect her decisions. After all, as the major shareholder and the company's chief designer, Zhao Fusheng's opinions were quite important.

But this time, Zhao Fusheng felt he should remind Zheng Yao.

"In business, it ultimately comes down to the company's own strength." Zhao Fusheng said to Zheng Yao, not stopping at superficial hints but directly getting to the point: "Using underhanded tactics may bring temporary success, but it's not a long-term solution."

Zheng Yao was silent. Treating people to meals was very common in Northeast China, or rather, it was a habit throughout the country. People always felt that many things could only be negotiated at the dinner table.

But the problem was, while this approach might bring momentary satisfaction, as Zhao Fusheng said, if one's own hard power was not strong enough, they would eventually face the dilemma of being eliminated.

In business, if you cannot uphold a righteous heart, you certainly won't go far.

"I understand. This time, I didn't think it through enough." After a long while, Zheng Yao sighed and said in a low voice.

Bai Jie and Dong Chenxi's plan to smooth things over had been discussed with her. Originally, according to their plan, they intended to give some kickbacks to that Manager Wu to see if they could get through to the people at Gree Electric Appliances and secure the contract. But unexpectedly, Manager Wu was too greedy, even planning to get both the money and the woman, which Zheng Yao could not accept.

After all, everyone has their own bottom line. Zheng Yao's bottom line was that she could give money, but if it meant Bai Jie or Dong Chenxi had to use their bodies to advance the company's development, she would never agree.

Zhao Fusheng knew this too, so he didn't bring it up with Zheng Yao.

"Get in touch with Gree later. If we can participate, we will. If it's too difficult, we can just attend other bidding meetings." Zhao Fusheng said calmly.

"Okay." Zheng Yao nodded and then hung up the phone.

After hanging up, Zhao Fusheng let out a long breath. He was actually afraid too—afraid that Zheng Yao would get used to competing in this way. Although certain tactics were unavoidable in the advertising circle, Zhao Fusheng still hoped that such things wouldn't happen to the people around him.

Not to mention the rightness or wrongness of the matter, but just the risk of it: if it were exposed, the reputation of Future Advertising would be completely ruined.

That's how unspoken rules work: when they aren't exposed, everyone might follow them, but once exposed, the target becomes a public enemy.

The baseness of human nature will be fully displayed at such times, just as in times of crisis.

Zhao Fusheng certainly didn't want that one day in the future, his advertising company would be criticized for starting out through underhanded operations. Even if they eventually cleaned up their act, they would still pay a heavy price.

Rather than that, it's better to put an end to such things now. Sure, they might lose some opportunities, but at least the money they earned would be clean, and their people could walk in the sunlight.

As for that Manager Wu, Zhao Fusheng's gaze gradually turned cold. If he dared to make a move on his people, then don't blame him for being unkind in return.